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Today Chevrolet announced the 2014 Spark EV will start at $27,495 including $810 destination charge, and before potential $7,500 federal subsidies.

Lease deals will start at $199 per month for 36 months with $999 due at signing and before applicable tax, title, license dealer fees.

“The Chevrolet Spark EV is the most efficient – and now one of the most affordable – EVs you can buy” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “Combined with outstanding infotainment and great design, the fun-to-drive Spark EV is engineered to impress.”

Chevrolet’s Spark EV promises 400 pound-feet of torque however, much more than the Nissan’s at less than half that. That said, how the Spark’s outsized number translates to road speed is affected by the fact that the Spark has a taller gear ratio than the Chevy Volt, for example, and the net gain at the wheels over the Volt is not as large as would appear from just comparing motor torque.

Nissan’s Leaf is geared for maximum effect for the power it has, and is a peppy car to average around-town commuter speeds, but it did see torque reduced this year to augment range.

California and Oregon buyers – or those who travel to those states to buy – will have several more variables to consider besides in assessing between the Leaf or Spark EV.

However individual value comparisons turn out, there is now one more EV due on the roads from a major manufacturer, and this is a stepping stone toward progress in the eyes of EV proponents.